By LORI LYONS and MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Northwood coach Austin Brown said he wasn’t sure what to expect going into Friday night’s Non-Select Division I playoff game against Salmen.
While the Falcons were the higher seed at No. 7, Salmen came from a higher classification – Class 5A to Northwood’s 4A.
Turns out, that didn’t matter.
Northwood scored on five of its six first-half possessions and easily handled Salmen, 54-27.
The Falcons (10-1) will host No. 10 seed Destrehan, a 30-12 winner over Ouachita Parish, next Friday night in the regional round. Salmen finished the season 5-6, having lost its last three games.
Kyran Johnson ran for 193 yards on 34 carries and led the scoring for the Falcons with three touchdowns. Duntavious Young and John Sneed scored twice. Tomarcus Keith scored one touchdown.
Young caught a 24-yard Jaxon Bentzler pass to open the scoring, and Sneed sliced in from three yards for a 13-0 lead. Salmen got on the board but Young and Bentzler connected again, on a 15-yarder, for a two-score lead and the Falcons were flying away afterward.
Northwood led 33-7 at halftime and cruised afterward in what looked like the Falcons’ most impressive performance of the season, especially as they flashed so much offensive firepower.
On defense, Brown singled out the play of Jason Stroughter Jr. and Christian Blackmon.
“We were able to control the line of scrimmage from the start, offensively and defensively,” Brown said. “They’ve got a good running back. I’m really proud of our defense, in the first half especially, because we were down three starting d-linemen against a 5A team. We were a little worried about that.
“Great game plan by the offensive coaches. We jumped out five touchdowns to one. We did get two extra points blocked, so that was a down. But to be up 33-7 at halftime versus a 5A team in the first-round playoffs, I’m pretty impressed with our first half,” said Brown. “I’m proud of my team for getting out there and putting it to a bigger team in a higher class.”
Istrouma 46, Booker T. Washington 44: In Baton Rouge, No. 20 seed Booker T. Washington gave No. 13 Istrouma everything it had in the first round of the Select Division II playoffs Friday night, but the Lions fell just short of a victory.
The game went down to the wire before Istrouma (8-3) escaped to advance to the regional round at No. 4 Haynes Academy. The Lions finished the season 4-7.
BTW pulled away from a 30-30 tie and took a 44-38 lead just before the end of the third quarter, but Istrouma rallied in the final period.
“The kids battled their butts off,” Lions coach Gary Cooper said. “I’m super proud of them, my coaches and my kids. We’re making great progress in building something special on Milam Street.”
North DeSoto 44, Woodlawn 0 (Matt Vines reporting): After running roughshod over District 1-4A, No. 7 North DeSoto continued that trend Friday in the first round of the Division II Non-Select playoffs.
The Griffins logged their eighth straight win, all against district opponents, after topping No. 26 Woodlawn for the second time in a month.
North DeSoto (9-2) led 28-0 at halftime and secured the home playoff win afterward despite a valiant effort by the Knights.
Quarterback Luke Delafield threw a pair of second-half touchdowns, one to Miller Warren and one to Jarred Jackson.
But for the Knights, just getting to play in Week 11 has its benefits.
Woodlawn (4-7) won three of its last five games, including an upset against BTW, to make the playoff field.
“These young men started at the very bottom and fought their way to the playoffs two years in a row,” said Woodlawn coach Thedrick Harris. “I’m very proud of the toughness and fight they showed.
“I think they now believe that they can compete.”
Woodlawn sent off its seniors, including prized recruit Brandon Henderson and Quintin Wilson, in the postseason.
“Brandon and Quintin, along with this outstanding group of seniors, have represented Woodlawn and their community with courage and class,” Harris said. “They’ve grown from boys to young men during their time, and I couldn’t be more proud and grateful to be their coach.”
Next Friday in Round 2, the Griffins will host No. 10 Belle Chasse, who was a 56-21 winner over No. 23 North Vermilion.
Contact Lori and Matt at sports@jouralservicesllc.com